This speech was delivered by the Secretary to Treasury to an audience of the Trans-Tasman Business circle. It highlights the rapidly increasing ethnic diversity of New Zealand, e.g., 40 percent of people living in Auckland were not born in New Zealand. Technology is also identified as a factor in an increasing pace of change.

It is argued that greater diversity is needed to respond to this changing policy and business landscape. Research has shown a greater number of women on boards is linked to improved performance. Lack of diversity is due not to a lack of openness to people and new ideas, but rather to unconscious bias. Three main ways are identified to overcome this: seeking wider perspectives, employing people from diverse backgrounds and ensuring leadership creates inclusive workplace cultures.